Immersive Experiences, Immersive Technology

Enhancing Reality with VR and Spatial Computing

What a time to be alive. It’s amazing how virtual reality (VR) and spatial computing can change my little living room in a downtown Detroit apartment into the calm, quiet space of a Japanese garden, blending the lively spirit of my city with a place to focus and relax. These technologies are part of our everyday lives now, helping us find peace in the hustle and bustle. For me, VR isn’t about escaping reality; it’s about enhancing reality. It brings a bit of calm into my busy city life, letting me work and relax in ways I never thought possible. We’re stepping into a new era where the digital and physical mix seamlessly, changing how we do everything from working to vibing; into a future where we connect and understand each other in deeper ways than could have imagined just a decade or so ago.

Understanding VR and Spatial Computing

At the intersection of the digital and physical worlds, VR and spatial computing technologies are redefining how we interact with both. If you’re unfamiliar with the difference between the two: VR immerses users in a completely digital environment, while spatial computing encompasses technologies that allow computers to interact in three dimensions in real life, including VR and the like. Mixed Reality (MR) is also a subset of spatial computing, blending real and virtual worlds to produce new environments where physical and digital objects coexist and interact in real time.

The evolution of these technologies is fundamentally changing how we interact with each other and with the world around us. For example, the first time I stepped into the world of VRChat, a leader in the VR gaming space, I remember marveling at the diversity of avatars, from fantastical creatures to replicas of beloved characters, each one a reflection of the person behind the headset or computer screen. It didn’t take long chatting to realize something incredible: there were minimal hints of shyness and lack of social awareness. It was as if VR removed hindrances and inhibitions from people that allowed them to be themselves. It was then that I truly grasped the social revolution VR was staging.

Social VR is emerging as a powerful platform for connecting people in virtual spaces, offering everything from casual meetups to large-scale events like concerts and conferences. VRChat specifically has seen its concurrent user numbers reach impressive peaks, with over 106,000 concurrent users online during its most successful event, showcasing the platform’s capacity to host large-scale social gatherings. That’s enough people to fill the Big House in Ann Arbor, the largest stadium in the US and the Western Hemisphere! This surge in users is a clear indicator of the social benefits and widespread appeal of virtual reality as a medium for connection and community building.

The realm of spatial computing technology in general is witnessing significant advancements, particularly in augmented reality (AR) and MR. One common complaint with all of these headsets, of course, is how bulky and heavy they are. A cutting-edge augment to spatial computing with a potential solution to this is a lens design that allows VR and MR headsets to be much slimmer and lighter than ever before, called pancake optics. Sound yummy? It should! Using a series of flat lenses that fold light more efficiently, the size and weight of the headset can be significantly reduced without compromising on the quality of the virtual experience. This means that VR headsets are currently the worst they’ll ever be, with the support and software growing while the hardware shrinks in size.

The Promise of an Enhanced Reality

The widespread adoption of spatial computing devices depends on a mainstream use case. Competing platforms like Meta’s Quest 3 and Apple’s Vision Pro have entered the fray, each contributing their unique visions to the evolving landscape of MR. With the Quest 3, Meta clearly understands that at the core of mainstream VR’s promise is affordability and accessibility, while Apple is taking the approach of practicality for everyday tasks with the VisionPro, such as remote work, media consumption, and even cooking.

Vacuuming App Concept for the Apple Vision Pro

Imagine the simplicity of cheffing up something top-tier with the help of holographic instructions, video demonstrations, and timers hovering over the relevant utensils and appliances in your kitchen; or shopping in a virtual mall where you can try on clothes or see how a piece of furniture looks in your living room without leaving your house; or working in a virtual office that feels as real as the one I arduously commute to downtown, yet your team’s spread out across the globe. You’re not just looking at flat images on a screen; you’re collaborating in 3D, making remote work feel more connected than ever. Immersive workspaces could soon transform how we even view the concept of an “office space”. These are not distant futures but emerging realities, as tech giants and spunky startups push the envelope, making MR and VR more integrated into our daily routines.

Let’s take it a step further with how MR could be utilized in our kids’ classrooms, where the static pages of textbooks transform into dynamic, interactive landscapes. Education, through the lens of VR and MR, becomes a living, breathing experience where students can virtually dissect a frog or stand amid historical events, making learning an adventure that sticks.

The healthcare sector, too, is on the cusp of a digital transformation, where VR and MR are not just tools for diagnostics and treatment planning but also gateways to reducing patient anxiety, making medical procedures less invasive, and training medical professionals with lifelike simulations. The potential for remote consultations and therapy sessions through VR and MR platforms opens new avenues for patient care that are both effective and efficient.

Societal and Cultural Impact

The integration of MR into our daily lives is crafting a new chapter in the story of human connection, learning, and interaction.

On one hand, as MR becomes mainstream, it’s clear that its impact will be profound and multifaceted, offering a mirror to the best and worst of human behavior, much like reality shows do today. These platforms reveal the spectrum of our values, decisions, and the dramas we find compelling, acting as a microcosm of larger societal dynamics. In this vein, MR could become a powerful tool for storytelling and shared experiences, drawing us into narratives that reflect our complex, messy, and wonderfully human nature.

On the flip side, the rise of MR brings with it ethical challenges that cannot be overstated. Not everyone has equal access to these emerging technologies, which could exacerbate existing inequalities if not addressed with intention and care. There needs to be a balance between the digital and physical, ensuring we don’t lose touch with the tactile world surrounding us. The complexities of designing safe, inclusive, and ethical MR experiences raise questions about the psychological impact of blending digital and physical realities.

As we embrace MR, engaging in informed and critical discourse will be key to unlocking its potential while safeguarding our well-being in all facets of reality.

Addressing Concerns and Criticisms

The excitement surrounding these innovations is palpable, but how do we address the concerns that clearly demand our attention? Disparities in access to MR technologies threaten to widen the gulf between the haves and have-nots. This digital divide isn’t just about who can afford the latest gadgets—it’s a question of who gets to participate in shaping our collective future.

To ensure ethical MR development, it’s crucial to establish robust guidelines and practices that prioritize user privacy, consent, and data protection. The ACM Code of Ethics, for example, provides a comprehensive framework for ethical conduct in computing, emphasizing the collection of only the necessary personal information, honoring confidentiality, and striving for high quality in both processes and products of professional work. Applying these principles in MR development can mitigate risks related to privacy breaches and unauthorized data usage. For this to truly be effective, collaboration among developers, educators, policymakers, and the community is essential. By involving diverse stakeholders in the design and development process and considering a range of ethical perspectives, MR can be developed and used in a manner that benefits society as a whole, fostering a more connected, empathetic, and inclusive world.

In terms of usability and inclusion, understanding the distinctions and overlaps between accessibility and inclusive design is essential. Ensuring that MR products are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users, including those with disabilities, is a step towards bridging the gap between digital and physical realities. This comprehensive approach to design can help mitigate the psychological impact of blending digital and physical realities, making MR technologies more user-friendly and universally accessible.

Another big thing to consider would be the psychological and mental health concerns that accompany its integration into our lives. While VR presents a unique opportunity for mental health intervention, some research has identified its capacity to amplify negative emotions, indicating a correlation between intensified negative emotions from VR usage and harmful self-related thoughts related to distress. This phenomenon suggests that the all-encompassing qualities of VR might necessitate a reevaluation of how games are adapted for VR environments to mitigate adverse sensory reactions among users. Furthermore, instances of users struggling to reintegrate into the “real world” after prolonged VR sessions underscore the importance of addressing the psychological impacts of immersive technologies.

To navigate these ethical challenges and psychological concerns effectively, several actions can be taken:

Develop guidelines and best practices that prioritize the mental health and well-being of users, ensuring VR experiences do not exacerbate existing mental health issues.
Incorporate mental health professionals in the development phase of VR applications to create more mindful, therapeutic, and less potentially harmful content.
Conduct ongoing research to better understand the long-term effects of prolonged VR exposure on mental health and social behavior.
Create features within VR environments that allow for an easier transition back to reality, potentially reducing the disorientation and dissociation experienced by users after extended VR use.

By adopting a responsible and informed approach to the development and use of MR, we can create a future where technology supports mental health and well-being, fostering a society that values both innovation and the psychological welfare of its members.

The Future Is Now: Near-Term Developments and Speculative Futures

The future of XR is shaping up to be an intriguing blend of technological advancements, market growth, and expanded applications across various sectors. With industry forecasts predicting the AR/VR market to grow to $50.9 billion by 2026, it’s clear that the sector is on the cusp of significant expansion, fueled by innovations such as the aforementioned pancake optics that promise to make VR headsets more comfortable and less obtrusive.

Healthcare, in particular, is poised for a revolution, with AR/VR technologies expected to significantly enhance diagnostic, patient education, surgical visualization, and treatment therapies, projecting the healthcare market for AR/VR to reach roughly $19.6 billion by 2030. In retail, technologies like smart mirrors for virtual try-ons and immersive sports and events experiences exemplify the kind of innovative applications that are driving the market forward.

The integration of VR with other technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning is another emerging trend. This is anticipated to improve the accuracy and realism of VR experiences, making them more immersive and engaging for users.

As VR headsets and other spatial computing devices become more accessible, they’re set to play an even more crucial role in the future of work, transforming how we collaborate, train, and interact within professional settings. The integration of VR and AR into remote working and collaboration tools offers a glimpse into a future where virtual presence and immersive interactions become a norm, enabling more engaging and productive virtual work environments.

Even though navigating the future of VR and MR will require addressing ethical, social, and cultural implications, the industry is optimistic about mass-market adoption within the next five years, with a significant emphasis on user experience being key to achieving this goal. I know I’m ready for it. Are you?

Gina

Question for you...

What was the most immersive experience you’ve ever had in gaming or technology, and what made it stand out for you? Let us know in the comments below!

About Us

Conceptualized in 2018, but officially established in 2023, GnomishPlays was built solely on a vision to transcend boundaries, challenge perceptions, and enrich lives. We immersed ourselves in a dream for our future, and through that vision came the realization of how immersion itself can be used to fully realize that dream.